10 Totally Rad Things
To do on Oahu!!!
Outdoor Activities:
1. In my opinion, the single greatest aspect to Oahu is the beautiful beaches lining the North Shore. I highly recommend taking the H2 and making at least one day trip out of it. My personal favorite is a tie between 2 beaches: 1. Waiamea Bay … and 2. A secluded beach named Ke’iki’s, which is located directly across the street from a small private school named Sunset Beach Christian School on Keiki road … good luck finding it!!!
2. While you are on the North Shore, you may also want to check out the Heiau up Pupukea. Heiau’s are Ancient Hawaiian Temples, and there is one right on the North Shore. To get up Pupukea, you will need to take Pupukea Road which branches off of Kamehameha Highway right next to a supermarket called “Foodland” and across the street from the Sunset Beach fire Station. Once up the hill, the Heiau is the very first and immediate right. Take this right all of the way to the end, and not only will you find the remnants of an Ancient Hawaiian Temple, but you will also find one of the most spectacular views on the entire North Shore … I highly recommend it … and definitely check out Pupukea as well while you are up there!!!
3. Since we are down on the North Shore … let’s keep going a bit further to Turtle Bay. Turtle Bay was originally a Hilton Resort. It is gorgeous and nothing short of magical. It can be a great location to end a day on the North Shore. You will love it. You can have a drink at the pool while watching the sunset from an Oceanside view … you can walk around the serene and relaxing property simply checking it out … you can even grab a bite to eat in the Bay Club, which has a beautiful atmosphere and ocean view, or even stop into Lei-Lei’s, which is the high end and extremely delicious restaurant at the golf course. Definitely do not miss a day at Turtle Bay … you will love it!!!
4. Well … it is looking like most of my hot spots will be on the North Shore. The reality of the matter is that I could sit here all day and talk about the hikes at Diamond Head … or the world renowned botanical gardens at Waiamea Valley … or the gorgeously amazing beach at Lani Kai, which is paradise for kayaking … or even driving the H3 freeway through huge valleys of lush tropical forest… all of these activities are totally rad as well … it is fun to be a tourist … and although you will seldom ever catch a local at a Polynesian Cultural Center Lu’au … these activities are extremely fun and worth experiencing. So my fourth activity of suggestion: grab a couple tourist magazines … open them up … follow your heart’s desire!!! I only have ten slots here, and these magazines will cover what I don’t … oh … there are even boats going out of Haleiwa harbor which drop you in the ocean in a shark cage with hundreds of sharks swarming around you … check it out!!!
5. So back to my suggestions of totally rad things to do! As I was saying, it is looking like most of my activities are falling on the North Shore this time. There is much to see up there, so you may want to plan for multiple days to spend. My final North Shore destination is Mokuleia and Keana Point. The best method here may be to ask for directions in Haleiwa or Waialua, but basically, you will be taking Farrington Highway as far down as you are willing to go. There is a drop zone out there with skydiving, gliding and all sorts of other fun activities … and seeing as it may be one of the most beautiful locations in the world to make a jump … I say go for the skydive! Also, there is a paved road to the left about a half mile before the Dillingham Airfield, up this road is an amazing, and very easy hike with a rewarding view if you make it to the top. This is Peacock Flats. Also, the beaches of Mokuleia are secluded, quiet, quite nice, and also subsequently where they have done some of the filming for the hit show “Lost”. Check it out, and know the farther down you go, the more amazing beaches you will find, buried like treasures in the rocky reef. Beware of theft and local aggression.
6. Now it is time to jump to the South Shore. A million tourist magazines might cover this one, so I will only reaffirm their suggestion … Sandy Beach!!! Sandy’s is epic! It is a great place when you have an entire day to dedicate to the beach. The shore break at Sandy’s is extremely dangerous … be sensible! If you do head down to Sandy’s, make sure it is on a sunny day. Also, if you are at Sandy’s, then you are near Makapu’u Beach Park. You absolutely have got to check this place out. The beach is spectacular, and there is a lookout point with an unparalleled view of Rabbit Island … Breathtaking!!!
7. Last but definitely not least in the outdoor activity section of my list of totally rad things to do on Oahu is a place called Yokohama’s. Yokohama’s is not for the faint of heart. It is located at the very tip of Keana Point, and although it also located on Farrington Highway, because the road does not wrap all of the way around the point; you cannot get there from the North Shore. This means you will need to take the H1 Freeway through Nanakuli and Waianae until it becomes Farrington Highway, then take Farrington Highway all the way down to the end. This literally makes Yokohama’s the most remote beach on the island. It is a beautiful place that really gives you a feeling of being at the edge of everything. However … because of its remote location … it is also very dangerous. The locals in Waianae & Nanakuli are notoriously violent towards foreigners and tourists. Yokohama’s is extremely high risk for tourists. If you do venture out there … be sensible … be respectful.
Culinary Experiences
1. Anytime you are somewhere new in the world it is extremely important to experience the cuisine! This is not only fun and delicious, it provides the chance to embrace the culture and really grow a better understanding of it. So … having said this … one simple thing you must experience is Shave Ice. Shave Ice is a local favorite, and in the warm humidity is a real treat! Many places sell shave ice now, but I say keep it real and go with the classics. I recommend two spots: 1. Matsumoto’s … Matsumoto’s is the most popular spot on Oahu for shave ice, it is located in Haleiwa, their shave ice is of course great, but be ready for long lines … and 2. Aoki’s Shave Ice … Aoki’s is my personal favorite, it is also located in Haleiwa right down the road from Matsumoto’s, their lines are much shorter, and their shave ice is mysteriously more delicious.
2. There really is a lot of great cuisine on Oahu, so here are some places you may like. In Mililani we find mostly corporate restaurants, however, at the Mililani Town Center we find a total gem … Korean BBQ. It is a literally just a little hole in the wall Korean BBQ place in the town center across from Phucket Thai … check it out, incredibly flavorful dishes!!! Also, on a Friday night you can find karaoke at a bizarre little place called Waldo’s Pizza in the Mililani Shopping Center. It is a drunk and well organized disaster and I am not sure if I am even recommending it. Another great place for a drink is the Lake Side Lanai in Wahiawa … good luck finding it!!! Then as we head back to the North Shore … Mackie’s Shrimp Truck in Haleiwa has the best coconut shrimp in the world and at a fairly good price. Coffee Gallery in Haleiwa has the best coffee I have ever had … fresh roasted and delicious. Also in Haleiwa we find Breaker’s Bar & Grill, which has quality live entertainment on Friday’s & Saturday’s … it is a fun spot with great deals on food and drinks. So … as I was saying … there is much good food and drink on Oahu. The best thing you can do is to get out there and start experiencing it! Waikiki of course has a lot going on, but it really takes getting out of the city to start really experiencing the aloha!!!
3. Unlike my last selection, I am going to keep this one fairly simple … just a few high dining suggestions and a delightful sushi place I had to keep separate. One restaurant that I would really like to highlight is Haleiwa Joe’s, right there on the North Shore. The atmosphere is incredible! The food is clean, delicious, and amazing. I have never had a bad Also, another great restaurant in Waikiki to check amazing. I have never had a bad experience at Haleiwa Joe’s, and I have had many good ones. It remains at the top of the list! Also, another great restaurant to check out would be Keo’s. It has been many years since I was last there … but their cuisine is notoriously delicious … and I do recommend the experience. Lastly … I highly recommend a tiny little sushi place in Haleiwa named Bonzai Sushi. With an outside patio next to an art house, and seating on the floor, the atmosphere is simply unbeatable, the sushi is fresh and extremely good, and the happy hour specials are delightful and affordable! This little place comes at the top of my recommendations, but be sure to try to catch it during happy hour!!!
Synopsis:
1. Waiamea Bay … Keiki Beach
2. The Heiau in Pupukea
3. Turtle Bay!!!
4. Tourist Magazines
5. Mokuleia … Keana Point
6. Sandy Beach … Makapu’u
7. Yokohama Bay
8. Shave Ice in Haleiwa
9. Food & Drinks
10. Fine Dining … Bonzai Sushi
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